Kennedy Marceaux signs with Alabama

KAPLAN — Kennedy Marceaux thoroughly enjoyed the recruiting process as one of the top softball players in Louisiana.
After signing with the University of Alabama on Wednesday, the Kaplan High School senior was appreciative of the opportunity to continue playing softball in college.
“Honestly it was an enjoyable experience,” Marceaux said. “I feel so blessed and fortunate to have this opportunity! Obviously, it took years of hard work on my part but there were so many people along the way that have helped me get to this point. We are so fortunate to have such a great Rec softball program in Kaplan with KYAA and the history of Kaplan High softball is so strong. Coach Brittany (LeBeouf), and the coaches and players that have come before us have made such a huge impact and of course Hotshots and Coach Nathan Nelson has had such a big role in my success.
“There are so many more people who have been on this journey. I don’t want to leave anyone out, but the list is long and I’m more than grateful!”
LeBouef spoke at the signing ceremony in the KHS gym of Marceaux’s softball career and her character.
“She is not only an excellent player, but an amazing human being,” LeBoeuf said. “She will never understand how proud and thankful I am for her. Kennedy has been an honor to coach, but we aren’t giving her up that quick. Coach (Patrick) Murphy (of Alabama) will have to be patient for a little while longer while we enjoy the last 35 to 40 games we have left with you as part of our program, and hopefully achieve all the goals we have set.”
A three-time All-Vermilion Parish MVP selection as picked by The Abbeville Meridional, Marceaux hit .655 with 139 hits, including 40 home runs, 38 doubles and eight triples, and drove in 128 runs in her first two seasons. She hit .655 with 22 home runs and 72 RBIs this past spring, helping the Lady Pirates win their first state championship since 2016. Marceaux was named the Non-Select Division III championship game Most Outstanding Player.
Marceaux will be joining an Alabama program with 14 Women’s College World Series appearances. The Crimson Tide won the 2012 WCWS national championship and finished as runner-up in 2014.
Marceaux has played multiple positions in high school, rec league and with the Hotshots premier fast pitch softball team. A shortstop for the Lady Pirates and catcher for the Hotshots, Marceaux said she’ll play whatever position she is asked to play to help the Alabama softball team.
“I’ve always taken pride in just being a softball player and I’d like to think that it just doesn’t encompass one or two positions,” she said. “I know at Kaplan High and with my travel team, Hotshots, our coaches stress doing whatever is best for the team to have success and I know that it will be no different with Coach (Patrick) Murphy. So, if that means playing right field, shortstop, or catching I just want to compete and help my team WIN!”
UL and LSU were among the other schools recruiting Marceaux, and she said the recruiting process was fun for her. She chose Alabama because of her connection with the coaches who recruited her, and how she felt about the school and Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
“I was able to meet so many coaches and players that for years I’ve admired from afar and to be able to finally get to know them and learn about so many different universities was an exciting time,” Marceaux said. “But, if you’ve ever had the chance to visit T-town you know just how special a place it is.
“BAMAU is an amazing place all the way from the administration, coaches and staff, to the student body and of course the beautiful campus is amazing.
The very moment I stepped foot on campus, I just felt at home.”
Longtime Alabama assistant coach Alyson Habetz, who is from Robert’s Cove near Crowley, retired this fall to help care for her mother. She had helped recruit Marceaux, but Marceaux said her decision never wavered.
“No doubt when Coach Allison retired to be home with her mother it was heartbreaking, because she had such a huge role in my recruitment and is such a great person, but the connection I have with Coach Murphy and the rest of the staff is incredible,” Marceaux said. “I never had any doubts or second thoughts about where I wanted to spend my next four years.”
Habetz surprised Marceaux by showing up for the signing, which she would not have been able to attend had she still been on Alabama’s coaching staff.
Habetz told the crowd of well-wishers how she bonded with the 14-year-old Marceaux at a softball camp over their shared South Louisiana heritage, and the fact both raised show pigs.